Kansas City Royals: Most disappointing players in 2018

When Cheslor Cuthbert was placed on the disabled list with a back injury retroactive to May 16, it effectively ended an unforgettable season for the young third baseman.

Cuthbert, who failed to reach the Mendoza Line in 117 plate appearances in 2018, would eventually be placed on the 60-day DL and not take another swing the rest of the year. The 25-year-old ended with an OPS+ of just 61 and 20 total hits in 103 at bats. Of those 20 knocks, only five went for extra bases.

Cuthbert avoids an ‘F’ here because the injury obviously derailed his season, but getting hurt is part of the disappointment. With Mike Moustakas not in the long-term plans, and Cuthbert expected to have increased playing time, expectations were still there for him to have a breakout season.

It never happened, and when he did play the results were less than stellar. His fielding percentage of .971 — including .935 at third base — wasn’t going to keep him in the lineup if he wasn’t hitting.

He did show flashes of being a solid major leaguer, hitting .274 with 12 home runs and 46 RBI in 128 games during the 2016 season, but since then he has regressed, most notably with his average and power. In 88 games since, Cuthbert has just five home runs while batting .215.

While it may not seem that Cuthbert, who is set for arbitration and currently playing winter ball in Mexico, has a bright future with the Royals, general manager Dayton Moore did mention him as a corner infield possibility, per Max Rieper of Royals Review .

The Royals have plenty of problems to address heading into 2019, and third base is still certainly one of them.